US Bridges

County Route 23 over Oil Creek

Poor

Lewis County, West Virginia · 1.13 MI E of CO 23/2 · Structure no. 00000000021A072

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
300
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 23 over Oil Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying County Route 23 over Oil Creek in Lewis County, West Virginia. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 years old, older than the West Virginia average of 44.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 300 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 340 by 2038. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 24 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Route 23
CrossesOil Creek
Location1.13 MI E of CO 23/2
RouteCounty Highway 2300
CountyLewis County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.89553, -80.52008
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.3 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2018)
Projected traffic340 by 2038
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$550,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 23 over Oil Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 23 over Oil Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in May 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 23 over Oil Creek carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Route 23 over Oil Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.3 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 23 over Oil Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.